Nigerian health influencer warns against eating spoiled tomatoes

Popular Nigerian health influencer Chinonso Egemba, known as Aproko Doctor, has issued a stark warning against the consumption of spoiled tomatoes and other fungus-infested food items. These items, often referred to as “Ata Esha” or “Awarawa,” pose significant health risks, he stated in a viral advisory on X.

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This tomato commonly called spoiled tomatoes (Ata Esha) or awarawa… there’s a poison inside this tomato that a lot of you don’t know about, but you’re eating it every day.

Egemba highlighted that the visible rottenness in these tomatoes is due to fungal growth that can produce dangerous toxins. "This tomato commonly called spoiled tomatoes (Ata Esha) or awarawa… there’s a poison inside this tomato that a lot of you don’t know about, but you’re eating it every day," he cautioned. He elaborated that the white substances often seen are fungi producing aflatoxins, which are hazardous with prolonged consumption. "Aflatoxin has been shown to actually cause liver cancer in adults. If you give it to children, it can cause stunted growth as well as other things," he added.

The risk is not confined to tomatoes alone, as Egemba noted that other food items like corn, onions, groundnuts, and grains are also susceptible, particularly when stored in damp or improper conditions. He warned that these contaminated foods are frequently sold in markets at lower prices, leading consumers to unknowingly prioritize affordability over safety. "You might think you are saving money by eating this type of tomato, but you are actually risking your life," he said, adding that such ingredients are sometimes used in restaurant meals.

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Those white things inside the tomato is caused by a fungus that produces a toxin known as aflatoxin… aflatoxin has been shown to actually cause liver cancer in adults. If you give it to children, it can cause stunted growth as well as other things.

Egemba urged Nigerians to prioritize fresh produce and proper storage methods. He advised against cutting off visibly rotten parts of food, as internal contamination may have already spread. Grains and food items with unusual smells or signs of dampness should be discarded immediately, he stressed, recommending storage in cool, dry environments. The National Cancer Institute confirms that aflatoxins, produced by fungi like Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, thrive in warm, humid conditions and can contaminate crops in fields or during storage, leading to an increased risk of liver cancer in humans.

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You might think you are saving money by eating this type of tomato, but you are actually risking your life.